Fire-escape



UNITnn PATENT @.rrrer..

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming To @ZZ whom'i may concern.- l

Be it known that we, JOHN C. ltrennnne and DAN Bnons'ron, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have jointly invented a new and useful ImprovementI in Fire- Escapes, of which the following is a specification. y

Our invention relates to improvements in a folding escape-ladder. A i fr,

In reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspcctiveview the front and rear part of the folding escape-lad der, the part between where broken away indicating its full length, and similar in construction as the remaining ones. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same, and Fig. 3 shows a part of the apparatus in side elevation.

The several matters of improvements will be specified in the claim, and may be bri eiiy stated,

v and consist in the construction ol the subject.

A is a Wire oi' selected quality and its strength satisfactorily tested to warrant perfect safety for the purpose, and cut inpieces of suiiieient length, intended to construct frames or sec.- tions in shape of squares of any desired size, but uniform each to the other. The wire is bent in right angles, four in number, around to accomplish the object, and, beginning at one side, is formed iirst an upward-turning loop, a, at one end of the wire, the other end terminating intola similar loop, b, passed through the first one, and bent downward. Both looped and connected ends represent a knuckle-joint, C, as this kind is most preferable for its sell'- tightening tendency and durable binding.

B is a piece of an iron pipe, in length .correspending with the sides of the square wire frame, and of satisfactory strength in regard to material.' The diameter of thepipe used is calculated to embrace two thicknesses of wire, as a pair of frames are intended to be inclosed together, and it is of great in'iportance to the object in View to furnish room forfree, radiant, and undisturbedmotion ofthe connected sectlons of wire frames. The ends of pipes are lnside carefully rimmed out, as shown in the sectional view in Fig. 2 of the drawings, for the purpose of preventing possible cutting or grinding the wire at Ithat place.

' F 1s simply a small frame, turning on the in descending the appa part o; Leiters Patent No. 292,855, dated February 5, iis/i. A pplieutionliiled March 26, 1883. (Xo model.)

l top end ol' the upper .li-amc, and made ol' the same size et' wire as the frame itself, and is provided with a hook, c, to lift the folded ladvalise or trunk with contents to it when lowered down to the ground for safety.

I is a graspdiandle attached on a rung at the window-sill, to enable a person in descendingi to catch hold when turning outside and clinging to the escape-ladder, and is also made of strong wire l) embracing and tightly fastened around the rung or pipe B, which latter turns ireel y on the wire frames, which it connects and folds and unfolds with the appa- 'atus. rlhe same attachment can be placed at Suitable distances and distributed along the entire length ot' the folding ladder, as a guard to prevent too close a cont-act with the side ci' a wall, and provides a space l'or foothold and grasping.

Starting from the looped end ny oi' the wire, the remaining part is bent at a desired distance, entering and passing there in a rightangular direction through the pipe Ii, appeal'- iug at the other end, where it is closely bent down to ente another piece of pipe equal in size and length and running in the same direction beyond as the former one, and when appearing again at the end of the second pipe is finally bent to meet the starting-point of the looped piece of wire, and is united there to the same by passing the other end through the loop a, forming a similar loop, b, riding in the former one, and elieeting a substantial joint, U, known as lulnekle-joint, by twisting the joined pieces each around and against thc other in a manner which allows them to get tightened vmore at the united part in proportion yto the increased weight, load, or strain, producing an immense power of resistance and strengtl'l, so necessary for a sai'e escape apparatus. rlhe bent pieces of wire, in connection with the pipes, as described, representasquare 'frame or section, with looped joint on one side. The iollowing frames Vare made `in the same way of manipulating the material, only the looped joint occurs at the opposite side of the i'rame or section, purposely so arranged on account ol eounterl)alancing the changing position and weight oi' a person ui'us,and causing tightder out oi` its resting-place, and to fastenv a t IOO ening, if any, equal on both sides. rlhe frames or sections are united together by running the wire of the following frame parallel to the foregoing one through one ofthe pipes of the former frame, producing in sufficient additional extent a icxible ladder with crosswisemounted pipes, serving as i'ootholds and oll'ering grasping parts in secured position.

The apparatus is kept in a folded condition inside a. room or any designated place in front of awindow or exit, the frame or section nearest theoor securely fastened to the base-board or floor by use of strong eye'bolts or hooks, and its use and location plainly shown by a conspicuous printed card or label in the room and at the apparatus. In regard to using it,

it is operated by simply taking hold of the upperi'nost frame at the projecting hook c, and, after putting same outside of the window or exit, let go, when it unfolds itself quickly to 2o the ground.

\Ve claim- Ina metallic ilexible ladder, the combination, with the rungs thereof, of the handles consisting of tllehorizontal portion I and the 25 portion D, embracing the said rungs, substantially as set forth.

,TOT-IN C. RICHBEIKL DAN ROBSTON.

`\Vilnesses:

S. A. LEVY, A. l). Guru), Jr. 

